Tour of Homes slated for Dec. 16

Sunday

Dec 9, 2012 at 2:00 PM

The Soo Theatre Holiday Tour of Homes and Tea 2012 this year will be an unprecedented experience with several large Victorian homes included on the tour. Have you ever been curious what the J. L. Lipsett mansion on East Spruce Street looks like on the inside? This is your rare opportunity to not only spend time in this restored prestigious house, but to enjoy a tea and silent auction along with many STARS and Friends musicians performing for your auditory delight starting at two o’clock. Five additional and spectacular homes, each with their own noteworthy features, are highlighted with this year’s tour.

Hospice House

By Tom PinkFor The Evening NewsHospice House is not just the new office for Hospice of the EUP; it is also the new home for those in Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac counties who need a place to spend the last days of their lives. It is the new center for hospice care in Sault Ste. Marie.“Welcoming” is the first word that comes to mind when you enter the front door and find yourself in the expansive, softly lit living room and reception area. The home offers a residential environment for patients and their families with its beautiful stone fireplace, a kitchen with plenty of room for more than one cook, and laundry facilities. Family and friends enjoy the large outdoor deck on nice days, but even if they are kept inside by the weather, the bright sun room will make them feel as if they were outside.The warm colors were chosen by Jen Roy-Hatfield of Roy Hatfield Design and Décor. She worked with Julie Weir, of Weir Furniture Center, and Susan Shunk, of Shunk Furniture, to match the colors and room decorations with the furniture.Hospice of the EUP Executive Director Tracey Holt and Craig Froggett of DeVere Construction made sure the design and layout would make visitors feel at home. Holt said she was inspired and encouraged by Margaret Kyser, director of the Eaton Community Hospice House. Local contractor Randy McGahey was the construction contractor.Hospice House is decked out with 14 individually decorated Christmas trees donated by the Galey Family. In addition, Nathan Reed of Kinross has donated and set up a lighted Christmas village in memory of his aunt, Sheri Salo.Hospice House features five patient rooms, space for individual grief support, support groups, educational workshops and an expanded resource library. It offers pain and symptom management, nursing care, assistance with tasks of daily living, friendly visits from volunteers, spiritual and counseling services for patients and their loved ones, all free of charge.The community has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless volunteer hours to build the dream. Come see it for yourself.

J.L. Lipsett mansion

By Lizabeth Jenkins-DaleFor The Evening NewsJ. L. Lipsett, son of an Irish immigrant, grew up in Ontario before establishing himself as a prominent citizen in Sault Sainte Marie, MI. He had several successful businesses in The Soo, including president of the Central Savings Bank for 33 years, married, fathered five children, and served as Mayor and a City Councilman. This home, a Richardsonian Romanesque structure built in 1903, is a delight to experience beginning with a massive veranda, whose arches demand attention. The exterior of the house is Jacobsville Sandstone quarried from the Upper Peninsula. Upon entering the home, you’ll notice the owner’s name prominently tiled in the floor, his marriage certificate on the wall, and a full-length mirror. Lipsett’s office is on the first floor, which adjoins the vestibule. The impressive woodwork throughout the house enhances the Lipsett Mansion experience, not to be outdone by the decorative ceiling finishes found in the sitting room and parlor. Many heavy pocket doors, large, wide windows, and high ceilings all make for a step back in time as you tour this picturesque home. Several varieties of wood are incorporated into the home: the ground floor includes quarter-sawn oak, cherry and fir. The second floor showcases birds eye maple in the bedroom at the top of the grand stairs, oak in the master bedroom and southwest bedroom, and fir or pine in the north east bedroom.Follow the beautiful woodwork up the grand staircase to view the backyard from three massive windows along the steps. Once upstairs, you have many options* for there are five bedrooms, including the spacious master bedroom with a period fireplace. One bedroom is called the “Birds Eye Maple Room” because of the beautiful birds eye maple doors and woodwork. Continuing to the third floor, which was the original attic space, you will find three additional bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a servant’s stairway to the main floor kitchen. Owners Kevin and Lois Kenney have provided this community a wonderful service by continuing to restore the J. L. Lipsett’s Home to its full splendor.*Please note that two of the five bedrooms on the second floor will not be available for viewing and possibly the third floor. These are tenant rooms. Lizabeth Jenkins-Dale is a veteran teacher and mom, as well as the author of the Middle School Years Without Tears book series for parents